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HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | JUNE 30, 2025 15 certain of the costs associated with accepting that assistance. "Predictability is going to help private investors understand how they want to proceed on projects, and that will make Connecticut more competitive with neighboring states," Pugliese said. Better, not perfect Avner Krohn, a multifamily devel- oper heavily invested in downtown New Britain, said the legislative update to prevailing wage require- ments is "a great start." However, the change does not affect projects funded through DECD incentive programs unrelated to brownfields, which remain fully subject to prevailing wage requirements, he noted. "This will shake loose some projects," Krohn said. "It opens up multiple projects. Not as much as we would like to see, but it is a fantastic start. The reality is, projects barely pencil without prevailing wage." Ann M. Catino, a partner at law firm Halloran Sage and co-chair of the state's Brownfields Working Group, was one of the loudest critics calling for a fix to the way Connecticut was applying prevailing wage to state-funded, private projects. "What this legislation does is provide overdue and necessary clarity that prevailing wage will only apply to the funds and activities to be funded by DECD and not to the rest of the project," Catino said. "It really does bifurcate the vertical development from the rest of the remediation work that needs to be done." Catino said projects that are awarded brownfield grants might not even have to pay prevailing wage on all portions of the envi- ronmental cleanup. If the grant is awarded to fund asbestos abatement, for example, then excavation of contaminated soil might be performed at non-union rates, she said. "It's definitely an improvement, no question about it, but time will tell how it is applied and interpreted," Catino said of the legislative update. "But, it's a major step forward." Renderings of 'The Hamlet at Saugatuck,' a roughly $400 million mixed-use development planned at the head of the Saugatuck River in Westport. CONTRIBUTED IMAGES Our primary focus is always on client service. We recognize that every transaction has unique attributes. We listen carefully to our clients to quickly gain a strong understanding of their goals and objectives, and then work collaboratively to achieve those ends in an efficient and cost-effective manner. As part of a full-service, general practice firm, we are able to regularly draw upon the capabili ties of our colleagues who focus in distinct, but related, legal areas, such as environmental law, finance, insolvency, litigation and estate planning. rrlawpc.com info@rrlawpc.com rrlawpc (860) 278-1150 We represent clients in all types of real estate transactions in Connecticut, throughout the United States, and abroad. With a national commercial landlord/tenant practice, we represent small and large businesses with their office, retail, and other real estate portfolio needs. Our diverse client base includes local and national corporations, partnerships, entrepreneurs, financial institutions, manage ment companies, operators, developers, families and individuals. Pictured Left to Right: Natalie G. Carpenter, Louis J. Donofrio, Thomas R. Kasper, Meredith G. Remigino, Colin T. Wrinn COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SERVICES Purchases & Sales (commercial and industrial properties and vacant land) Sale-Leaseback Transactions Contracts for Construction, Design & Development Commercial Leasing & Subleasing Commission & Agency Agreements Property Management Contracts Letters of Intent Land Use & Development Real Estate Dispute Resolution & Litigation Avner Krohn Ann Catino